First Plenary: Citizens and the State - The Crisis of Liberty

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First Plenary: Citizens and the State - The Crisis of Liberty

28 Feb 2009

A panel of Dominic Grieve, Helena Kennedy, Sir David Varney, and Sir Ken MacDonald discuss the perceived erosion of civil liberties in Britain, and question the validity of the government’s claims that it is for our own good. As politicians assume greater control over the everyday lives of British citizens with regulations and laws, the panel argue that we must prepared to accept some risks in life if we are not to be completely disempowered. In light of the government’s desire for a central database that stores personal details about its citizens, the discussion also extends to the Government's increasing desire - and power - to collect and store more and more personal data about its citizens.

Dominic Grieve begins by opining that we are all responsible for the current state of public liberty, and that it is the people's responsibility to make the government see that the quality of our lives is suffering as they aim for a 'mythical state of absolute security'.

Helena Kennedy echoes his sentiments and suggests that the Government are abusing their power – perhaps not always knowingly – in a bid to protect its citizens.

Sir David Varney leads on from Helena Kennedy by talking about databases and, taking the Soham murders and the case of Baby P as examples, suggests that the Government needs to share data more efficiently rather than store everyone's personal details on a 'great single database'. He also says that the information collected (i.e. applications forms etc.) should be 'opt-in' rather than opt-out and that individuals should always be in control of their personal details.

Finally, Sir Ken MacDonald reiterates David Varney's points about databases and information sharing, and questions how basic civil rights and public trust in the Government can survive when the innocent are treated like suspects for no good reason.